Reivers ladies fall to first defeat of the season in capital

High-flying Reivers ladies 1sts travelled to Edinburgh to play their closest challengers last weekend and suffered their first defeat of the season.

The Borderers dominated possession in the first half and had the home team pinned inside their own 25 yards for most of it, but couldn’t seem to get many results in the D and, despite some good defence from the Reivers, the hosts still managed to work the ball down the left to score.

Fjordhus came back fighting harder and, with the lightening legs of Laura Mclean, burst through to win their first penalty corner of the game but, again, failed to find the net.

Lara Paterson made an excellent debut for the Borders club, working exceptionally hard on and off the ball and coming in close contact with the opposition’s goal mouth.

Although the Reivers’ domination provided them with plenty of opportunities, Inverleith slipped past the Reivers’ defensive line and won themselves a second goal from a penalty stroke, putting them ahead by two at the half-way stage.

Fjordhus went into the second half confidently and an intimidating press from the forward line resulted in Claire Townsend getting close to scoring. The visitors were then saved not once, but twice, by coach Pippa Bell. First by a save from an airborne shot, then a save and tackle on the goal line. Unfortunately Inverleith persisted and won their third goal from yet another penalty stroke.